MA Japanese Language and Literature at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The MA in Japanese covers the language, literature and culture of Japan, from the classical era to contemporary Japan, with three paths: preparation for PhD study, translation and interpretation, and language teaching or other careers. The programme offers classical, manuscript and modern language training and expertise in modern and premodern literatures and cultures.

Faculty: College of Humanities and Fine Arts | Department: Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (East Asian Languages and Cultures) | Duration: 30 credits of coursework plus a 6-credit thesis; most suitably prepared students finish within two academic years | Intake: Fall; application deadline February 1 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

Required courses (21 credits) include Advanced Modern Japanese II, Classical Japanese I, two Pro-seminars, Problems and Methods in Translation, Graduate Seminar in Japanese and Advanced Thesis Writing, plus 9 elective credits such as Media Japanese, Heian Literary Culture, Introduction to Japanese Linguistics, Business Japanese and Tokyo through Literature & Film, and a 6-credit thesis.

Career pathways

Graduates work as professional translators and interpreters, high school and college teachers, in embassies, journalism, business and government, or continue to PhD study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Japanese MA: entrants must have the equivalent of four years of college-level Japanese (through coursework, study or work in Japan, or the N2 level of the Japanese Language Placement Exam) and take a placement exam in the first week; students not placing into Japanese 532 or 536 may need an extra year. Application: online application, personal statement (600-word community essay), resume, 2 letters of recommendation, transcripts, and English proficiency scores for non-native speakers (TOEFL required by the Graduate School for applicants whose native language is not English). GRE is not required (optional). Deadline February 1 for fall. All applicants are considered for a teaching assistantship.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall; application deadline February 1

Duration: 30 credits of coursework plus a 6-credit thesis; most suitably prepared students finish within two a

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